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Masbate - Rodeo Country of Bicol
Masbate is one of the provinces in the Bicol Region. It is located in central part of the Philippine Archipelago between latitudes 11 43' north and 21 36' north and 123 09' cast and 124 15'east. With its geographical condition, it serves as a gateway of Luzon to Cebu and Panay Island. The Capital town of Masbate is one hour and twenty minutes ride from Manila by plane and twelve hours from Cebu City by ship.
The islands of Masbate were formed out of volcanic rocks over one hundred million years before man made his appearance in the tropical regions of the earth. Humans then made tools of stone, bone, and wood. Some of these very early stone stools and bones have been found in Masbate.
Village settling grew from the development of farming, pottery flourished, stone tools were improved, and the early Masbate farmers made axes of polished stones. Many stones axes of this kind have been found in Masbate. They are the remains of the first farmers who used the axes to cut down trees. The early farmers also made beautiful ornaments of shells. They buried their dead in burial caves and jars. Two large caves in Masbate, the Bat-ongan Cave in Mandaon and the Kalanay Cave in Aroroy, are known worldwide as burial caves.
About four hundred years BC, iron and glass as well as woven cloth appeared in Masbate. The stone tools gradually disappeared; agriculture improved. Beautiful decorated potteries were produced. Unearthed fragments of porcelain tell the brisk trade that existed with China.
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MASBATE FAST FACTS |
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LOCATION |
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Central Philippines |
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REGION |
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Region V - Bicol |
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LAND AREA |
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404,770 Has. |
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MUNICIPALITY |
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21 |
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BARANGAY |
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550 |
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HOUSEHOLD |
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128,860 |
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POPULATION |
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653,852 (1995) Census |
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POPULATION GROWTH |
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9.16% (1990-1995) |
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LITERACY RATE |
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95.90% |
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DIALECT |
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Masbaneto, Cebuano, |
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Hiligaynon and Bicolano |
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CLIMATE |
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Type II and III |
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MAJOR PRODUCTS |
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Copra, Aquamarine, |
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Cattle and Gold |
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